Salvia superba Queen of the Blues

The Salvia x superba 'Queen of Blues', also known as Salvia 'Blaukönigin', is a very beautiful perennial hybrid sage, with the appearance of a charming and very floriferous weed. It produces superb clusters of flowers in a deep blue-violet colour, in airy and tight spikes, from May to August. Robust and cold-resistant, it has a rather erect habit and tall floral stems that can reach a height of 60 cm (24in), emerging from a densely leafy clump. It is a very easy plant to grow, ideal for borders or mass plantings, in full sun or partial shade.

The Salvia superba is a horticultural hybrid obtained by cross-breeding Salvia x sylvestris, a hybrid between Salvia nemorosa and Salvia pratensis, and Salvia villicaulis, a rare European species. These plants belong to the lamiaceae family and have in common the ability to tolerate cold, sun, and drought-prone soils. The 'Queen of Blues' variety stands out for its vigor and magnificent flowering. It has a branching and erect habit and semi-evergreen foliage. The plant forms clumps that can cover 1m (3ft) in diameter. It produces multiflorous and compact inflorescences in spring, reaching a height of 55 or 60 cm (22 or 24in), with flowers measuring 0.5 to 1 cm (0in) in length, violet to purple, with purple or violet bracts. The flowers bloom from May and continue without interruption until mid-summer, and they are highly prized by butterflies and bees. The leaves are deciduous, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, ovate to oblong, rough, with crenate edges, and form a beautiful foliage.

The 'Queen of Blues' wood sage is vigorous enough to outcompete weeds. It excels on slopes, contributing to their stability with its deep anchoring roots, which allow it to draw moisture even during heatwaves. In this regard, it is perfect for maintaining the soil in rockeries or banks near water sources. It is a very resistant plant; it can tolerate periods of drought once established, although the beauty of its foliage may suffer, and it can thrive in Spartan growing conditions. This plant is tolerant of limestone, even grows on chalky hillsides, and withstands harsh winters without weakening. In borders, it can be paired with clary sage, common sage, and old-fashioned roses, as well as Nepeta x faassenii and lychnis coronaria.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and soft-wooded shrubs distributed worldwide, except in very cold regions and the tropical forest, the Salvia genus is the richest in the lamiaceae family.